Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

If the members of the Sanhedrin had believed what Stephen was alleging, they would have had to conclude that Jesus’ claims about himself had been true, and that they had wrongfully put him to death. Instead, they closed their hearts, covered their ears, and sentenced Stephen to stoning. No reason is given for the presence of the young Saul (Paul). Was he a member of a local synagogue? Was he merely a spectator? Whatever the reason, here Stephen, not Paul, is the hero, the one who successfully patterns his life and death after that of his Master.

In the reading from Revelation, the risen Jesus announces that he is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. These are all polar pairs, which indicate that he encompasses everything. He also identifies himself with two messianic titles: the root or branch of David, and the bright morning star, which announces the new day. Though he announces that he will judge everyone not merely according to their faith but according to their deeds, his attention is focused on those who have been faithful. This reading suggests that the Lord’s coming is something to look forward to with joy.

Jesus prays for the unity of all believers, a unity that does not merely resemble the unity that exists between Jesus and his Father, but actually participates in it. Furthermore, joined to Jesus, believers share in the glory of Jesus that was manifested through his death, resurrection, and exaltation. Believers are to manifest this divine union to the world so that the world will see not only that God sent Jesus, but also that God loves believers with the same love with which Jesus is loved. Having made God’s name known to believers, Jesus asks that these believers might be with him. If the love with which God loves Jesus resides in those who believe in him, Jesus himself will abide in them.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The confusion of the apostles provided Jesus the opportunity for one final instruction. He promised them the power of the Spirit to guide them in their endeavors. The cloud that took him from their sight is a traditional symbol of the presence of God. The two men in white garments are reminiscent of the two men at the tomb who announced the Resurrection. Though these men state that Jesus will return as he left them, the symbolic nature of this description prevented the disciples and us from knowing just what that might mean. Along with these disciples, we will have to depend upon the Spirit.

The prayer from Ephesians is for a threefold spiritual enlightenment, an enlightenment of the inner eyes. The petitioner asks that believers might know, 1) the hope of the calling that they have received from God, 2) the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance, and 3) the surpassing greatness of God’s power to those who believe. These marvels have already taken place; it is for the believers to acknowledge them in awe. The view of Christ contained in this passage is quite exalted. Having been raised from the dead, Christ now sits at God’s right hand, high above all of the other heavenly creatures.

In his last instruction to his disciples, Jesus explains how his death and resurrection had been foretold. There can be no question about the veracity of these events. As witnesses to them, the disciples are now to proclaim to all the nations that he did indeed die and rise, that he did preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. This last instruction was meant not only to bring the disciples themselves to Resurrection faith but also to commission them to bring this faith to the world. The actual description of the Ascension is quite brief in this account. There is neither grief nor fear on the part of the disciples. In fact, they return rejoicing and continue worshiping publicly in the temple.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The question of conditions for membership was one of the most serious disputes that raged in the first years of the church. Since the Jesus movement was originally an internal Jewish renewal, the Jewish Christians continued to observe the religious practices of their former faith, and they expected the same of Gentile converts. However, Paul allowed his Gentile converts to refrain from Jewish observance. An official letter from the Jerusalem church decided the issue. Though requiring minimal observance, this decree affirmed the belief that salvation came only from Jesus and not even indirectly through the law. The vision of the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven recalls several prophecies of ancient Israel, particularly from the book of the prophet Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 40:2; 48:30–35). Coming from God, the city is radiant with the splendor of God. The new Jerusalem is founded on the apostolic teaching; the role played by the tribes of Israel is not as evident. Perhaps they reflect an element of Jewish eschatology that expected the restoration of the twelve tribes at the end time. There is no temple in this new city, because the risen Christ is the place where God and human beings now meet.

Love is the fundamental message of Jesus’ last discourse. He calls for a demanding kind of love, one that is as self-sacrificing as was his own. Jesus and his Father make an abiding dwelling with those who love like this. Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit is sent by the Father. The Spirit is not a substitute for Jesus, but is an emissary, participating in the mission of Jesus by reminding the disciples of the things that Jesus taught them. Jesus’ words end on a note of reassurance. He bequeaths his peace. This is more than a wish; it is a blessing that includes all of the benefits of the Resurrection. Jesus’ peace is grounded in his relationship with his Father and his self-sacrificing love of the world.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The suffering that Paul and Barnabas were forced to endure is referred to as the “birth pangs” of the Messiah, the inevitable suffering that occurs when one passes from “this age” to the “age of fulfillment.” These men were not independent missionaries. They were sent forth by the church in Antioch, and it was to that same church that they reported what was accomplished through them. It is important to note that the success of the mission is credited to God. Still, it was through Paul that the door of faith, an opportunity to believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, was opened for the Gentiles.

The new heaven and new earth do not merely suggest transformation or renewal; they describe something entirely new. The new Jerusalem is a sacred place where God dwells in a very special way. The old order has passed away, along with death and tears. In fulfillment of the prophetic promise, God will comfort the people who mourn, wiping away their tears. The reading ends in a summary note: All things are made new. While “new” is the eschatological catchword, the present tense of the verb indicates that God’s new creative action is unfolding now.

The hour of Jesus’ death is the hour of his glorification. He is glorified both in his willingness to obey God even unto death, and in God’s glorification of him by making his sacrifice effective for the salvation of all. Jesus tenderly admonishes his disciples to love one another. Since he will not remain with these loved ones for long, the love that they show one another will be the earthly counterpart of the mutual glorification of God and Jesus himself. They are to love one another with the same self-sacrificing love that Jesus has shown them. Such love will be the universal sign of discipleship of Jesus. The love that the followers of Jesus have for one another shows forth the glory of God.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

Animosity arose between the apostles and certain segments within the Jewish community. This caused Paul to discontinue ministering to the Jews and to turn to the Gentiles. The passage might suggest that all the Jews rejected the gospel and only Greek-born Jews were open to it, when in fact it was probably only the leaders of the synagogue who contradicted Paul and blasphemed against Jesus. Paul reinterprets a Servant Song of Isaiah, which declares that salvation will come to the Gentiles through the agency of the people of God. He thus claims that he, Paul, will be God’s light to the Gentiles.

The multitude in John’s vision is international in character. The people come from every nation, race, people, and tongue, thus fulfilling a promise made to Abraham that he would be the father of a host of nations (Genesis 17:4). The “blood of the Lamb” is a reference to Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. It is also a reference to the baptism of the individuals gathered together, for it was through baptism that they were incorporated into Christ’s death. It is because they have endured and have been made pure by Christ that they can stand before God and worship day and night without end.

Jesus’ sheep hear his voice, recognize it, and follow him. This image implies intimate knowledge between Jesus and his followers and unquestioning trust on the part of the followers. Jesus promises that if the sheep heed his voice they will never perish. Since he wields power over death, he will certainly protect them from lesser evils. He has the right to exercise this kind of authority over the sheep because they have been given to him by God. All that Jesus says and does is the actual embodiment of God’s will and not just behavior that conforms to it. Since Jesus and his Father are so closely joined, the shepherd who cares for the sheep is indeed one with God.